The launch of 'Fashion Africa'

On September 9th 2012, Social Enterprise Africa Fashion Guide turned one year old and has decided to host their anniversary event in Nairobi, Kenya. This 1 day event planned for Wednesday 17th October will consist of a panel discussion with international industry leaders entitled Fashion Africa 2012.

Hosted in collaboration with notorious Kenyan blogger Kenyan Stylista, and reputable online retail site Closet49, the conference will act as a means to discuss and promote the full supply chain of African Fashion Design, Textiles, and Manufacturing and thus communicate this to a larger, global audience through media.

The Fashion Africa 2012 conference is a vehicle to create a social forum for all those attending to talk openly and share ideas, information and expertise, to raise awareness and elevate the perception of fashion design from the continent.

This event will include 3 panel discussions with contribution from fashion professionals and industry experts who will discuss and debate on the topics:

This must attend event will include guests from press, brands as well as industry influencers and insiders who all have a mutual interest, involvement and focus to elevate African textile trade, fashion design and production. This event is for those who want to be part of the wider solution in raising Africa as a leader not a follower in quality design and production.

Africa Fashion Guide founder Jacqueline Shaw says, "Our 'Fashion Africa' Conference, Seminars and Workshop programs were created to be a catalyst in the industry. The aim was always to help change perceptions of the fashion and textile industry in Africa and to ask those in Africa working in garment design and textile manufacturing what THEY think and need. Future plans are to keep these discussions on the continent bringing where possible international industry leaders to these events and thus bringing the African garment trade to the forefront of the international fashion industry."

The 2011 inaugural event hosted in London was attended by guests and speakers that included ASOS CSR manager, designers Chichia London, Bestow Elan, Choolips and Kayobi, consultants Jennifer Williams-Bafoe of Willbaforce, Fashion Show Director and Brand Consultant Ola Shobowale, media from FAB Magazine, OHTV, Ethical Fashion Forum and more, and the Kenyan edition is looking to have a great line up too!

Due to public demand, Africa Fashion Guide Founding Director, Jacqueline Shaw will also be presenting her self-published coffee table book 'Fashion Africa' at the conference. This will be a rare opportunity for guests to purchase for the first time in Kenya a limited number of signed copies of this popular book. 'Fashion Africa' the book features 48 designers who produce or source in Africa with many from Kenya, along with illustrations, interviews and photographs.

To attend this event make sure you sign up quickly as space is limited!